Helping Islanders Get Active & Stay Healthy! Inclusion & Access Recreation Framework in Canada: Inclusion and Access Issue 54 - October, 2016 Inside this issue: Recreation is a fundamental human need in all ages and stages of life. It is National Recreation 1 the pursuit of physical, social, intellectual, creative and spiritual experiences Framework that enhance individual and community wellbeing. go!PEI Seniors’ Mobility 2 Program Expansions ParticipACTION 3 Newcomers to Canada / Western 4 Region Programming Special Olympics / 5 ParaSport & Recreation Charlottetown’s Victoria 6 Park / City Bus Tour Facility Upgrades at 7 The benefits of recreation cannot be overstated; it can enhance mental, Eastlink Centre physical and social wellbeing, help build strong families and communities, Jumpstart Funding 8 help connect people to nature, and provides economic benefits such as jobs and tourism. Recreation PEI Board & Staff Members: Accessible and high quality recreation opportunities are integral to a well- President: Sean Murphy functioning society. The recreation sector can be a collaborative leader in Vice Pres.: Dean Lund addressing major issues of the day. Recreation is for everyone; all people and Past Pres: Andrew Avery communities deserve equitable access to recreational experiences. Treasurer: Kevin Crozier Secretary: Adam Ross Recreation has the ability to reach all citizens and bring people together. No Directors: Dale McIsac matter who you are, where you are or your ability, all Canadians should have Nancy McMinn access to a variety of recreational opportunities and be able to participate in Paula Sark inclusive activities that celebrate diversity. To view the full document go to the Trent Williams Canadian Parks and Recreation website: www.cpra.ca. Jean-Marc Beauchesne Exec-Director: Beth Grant This newsletter issue will share stories of equitable participation for all in go!PEI: Vicki Tse recreational activities, featuring inclusion and accessibility from various Rec. Projects: Jamie Gosbee Tobacco Free: Frank Morrison socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures and genders on PEI. Gov’t Rep.: Francois Caron Seniors Mobility Program Expanding into New Locations After a successful launch at Beach Grove Home, the Seniors Mobility Program pilot project will expand into three new locations this fall; Kensington Community Care Home, The Mount Continuing Care Community and Geneva Villa. The program is designed to give more physical activity options to seniors living in community care residences, nursing homes and manors. One of the program’s components focuses on walking. Residents set personal goals related to walking or propelling in a wheelchair and strive toward that goal over a two week period. Tracking logs and incentives/prizes are provided. Residents are encouraged to work with other residents or family members for support. Staff and volunteers are also available to assist in setting and reaching goals which are based on distance, time or frequency walked or wheeled. Another component is based around physical activity and functional mobility. It includes an Activity Cart (‘go!Cart’) full of fitness equipment designed specifically for the needs of the senior population and is aimed to help maintain and improve flexibility, strength, dexterity, etc. Among other things, the go!Cart includes balls, blocks, and exercise sheets with recommended equipment uses. The go!Cart is made available for family members, volunteers and staff to use which will enable visits with residents to be more active and engaging. The staff members at Geneva Villa are excited about the potential of the project. “We’re really eager to get started with the Seniors Mobility Project. Staff are fully onboard and ready to assist our residents in any way needed,” says Recreation Director, Shawna Cairns (far right in photo below). “Our residents have heard the overview of the project and are eager to begin. They’re happy that more physical activity programming will be coming their way. There is definitely a need for more programs like this in all manors, homes and residences across PEI.” This project has been made possible by a Wellness Grant through the Department of Health and Wellness. go!PEI is funded through the Department of Health and Wellness, managed by Recreation PEI Inc. and partners closely with a number of municipalities and regional sport and recreation councils. The ParticipACTION Teen Challenge Supports Inclusion and Access The ParticipACTION Teen Challenge Program is breaking down the barriers that prevent teens from getting active. Working with community organizations we provide the support that teens need to find an activity that motivates them to get moving. Whether it’s snowshoeing, yoga, zumba, skateboarding, unicycling, parkcour, ultimate Frisbee™, dodge ball, floor hockey, or handball, there is something out there for everyone and ParticipACTION challenges all teens to find their passion and get moving. Congratulations to the following PEI community organizations who received ParticipACTION Teen Challenge grant funding in the last quarter: West Prince Sports Organization – retreat day to support mental health Ellerslie 4-H Club – Active and Safe 12 week challenge Three Oaks High School – Inclusive Education Class goes swimming Charlottetown Alternative Education High School – Walking challenge with active outings Town of Alberton – Teens try power lifting Kinkora Regional High School – Special Education students try Special Olympics ParticipACTION 150 Play List In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, ParticipACTION is teaming up with the Government of Canada and corporate leaders Manulife, Corus and Chevrolet, to get Canadians moving with the ParticipACTION 150 Play List. Whether you live in a remote fishing village, First Nations’ community or urban neighborhood, being physically active is part of what it means to be Canadian. The ParticipACTION 150 Play List will inspire Canadians from coast to coast to coast to get moving more by challenging them to take part in 150 unique physical activities that define us as Canadian. ParticipACTION is asking Canadians to help choose the 150 physical activities, across sport, recreation and the activities of daily life that should make the list. Snow shoveling? Capture the Flag? Bowling? You tell us. It will be the ultimate play list created by Canadians for Canadians. Be sure to have your say. Get involved! In January 2017, the ParticipACTION 150 Play List will launch and every Canadian – in all communities, schools and workplaces from coast to coast to coast – will be challenged to get moving and complete as many of the 150 Play List activities as possible. ParticipACTION is teaming up with community-based organizations and corporate partners to bring the ParticipACTION 150 Play List activities to life at hundreds of events throughout the year. Individual efforts can be tracked through the digital platform to show Canada’s collective strength, and reward those who take part. Find additional details about the ParticipACTION 150 Play List at: www.participaction.com/150 Recreation Activities for Newcomers to Canada The PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada (PEIANC) has several programs that can support newcomers to Canada to get active and involved in their new community! Many of the activities are also integration activities so established Islanders are also encouraged to join. The PEIANC Community Outreach Team offers physical activities such as swimming, hiking, curling, and skating. All women on PEI, aged 16 years and older, can join the PEIANC Women’s Group to participate in activities that are usually free, such as Zumba, yoga, or other exercise in a women-only space. They also welcome men 16 years and older to join the PEIANC Men’s Group. This group frequently attends the Island Storm Basketball games, thanks to the generosity of the Storm team. PEIANC offers activities designed for seniors (50 years and older of all genders) and these often welcome family support and seniors’ friends as well. The Community Outreach staff can accompany newcomers on their first time trying snowshoeing at Victoria Park—a great, free, city activity and a way to keep active in the winter. Participants spend the afternoon outside in the sparkling snow and finishing with a cup of hot chocolate! These programs provide a great introduction to getting active on PEI, while socializing in a friendly informal setting. Since established Islanders are welcome too, the goals are met for community inclusion and integration for everyone! The results are smiles, laughter and new friends! For more information, please contact [email protected] to join the men or women’s group or to find out about other activities, or visit www.peianc.com or PEIANC’s Facebook page to keep track of what recreation activities are being offered. Western Region Sport and Rec. Council Programming The Western Region Sport and Recreation Council takes pride in offering inclusive programs for people of all ages and abilities. “Our program palette includes programs for children age 3 all the way up to Seniors Programs within the Western Region – from Tignish to Miscouche”, says Alison Griffin, Executive Director. “Our programs host a large number of participants with intellectual and physical disabilities and they continue to participate in our programs because they feel welcomed and included. We work closely with Special Olympics PEI and with Parasport and Recreation PEI to ensure we are meeting the needs of every person that attends our